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2018 Piper PA-31 Accident Near Mount Rae, British Columbia (C-FNCI)

Mt Rae, CanadaFlight

On August 1, 2018, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration C-FNCI) operated by Aries Aviation International was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Rae, Canada in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot did not continuously use oxygen above 13,000 feet and likely became hypoxic, leading to cognitive and perceptual degradation. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

On August 1, 2018, a Piper PA-31 (C-FNCI) crashed near Mount Rae, BC, after departing controlled flight during a descent. Both occupants were killed. The investigation attributed the accident to pilot hypoxia and an unrecovered spin.

Incident Overview and Flight Details On August 1, 2018, an Aries Aviation International Piper PA-31, registration C-FNCI (serial number 31-8112007), was conducting survey work near Penticton, British Columbia. After completing two hours of work, the aircraft departed Penticton Airport (CYYF) on an instrument flight rules flight plan to Calgary/Springbank Airport (CYBW), Alberta, at 15,000 feet above sea level. The pilot and a survey technician were on board. As the aircraft approached CYBW, air traffic control sequenced it for arrival, requesting a speed reduction to 150 knots indicated airspeed and a descent to 13,000 feet. At this point, the right engine began operating at a lower power setting than the left. Approximately 90 seconds later, at 13,500 feet, the aircraft departed controlled flight and collided with terrain near the summit of Mount Rae at 1336 Mountain Daylight Time. A brief impact explosion and fire occurred. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries. The Canadian Mission Control Centre received a 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter signal and notified the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. Search and rescue arrived on site about one hour after the accident.

Probable cause

The pilot did not continuously use oxygen above 13,000 feet and likely became hypoxic, leading to cognitive and perceptual degradation. This prevented effective control of the aircraft and an appropriate response to the asymmetric power condition, resulting in a spin to the right that was not recovered.
Loss of control in flight

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Aug 2018 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident near Mt Rae, Canada?

On August 1, 2018, a Piper PA-31 (C-FNCI) crashed near Mount Rae, BC, after departing controlled flight during a descent. Both occupants were killed. The investigation attributed the accident to pilot hypoxia and an unrecovered spin.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Aug 2018 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Aug 2018 involved a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, registration C-FNCI, operated by Aries Aviation International, at Mt Rae, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot did not continuously use oxygen above 13,000 feet and likely became hypoxic, leading to cognitive and perceptual degradation. This prevented effective control of the aircraft and an appropriate response to the asymmetric power condition, resulting in a spin to the right that was not recovered.

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